The New York Yankees made a bold move this offseason by taking a chance on Brandon Leibrandt, a talented left-handed pitcher with a noteworthy lineage, possibly on the recommendation of their newly appointed closer, Luke Weaver. Although Leibrandt was in the organization until early June, he never got the opportunity to make his mark in the majors.
Recent updates from the minor-league transaction wire, courtesy of Mike Ashmore, revealed that the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have released Leibrandt from his minor-league contract. This decision may have been strategically timed to create space for him to pursue new opportunities, reminiscent of Dom Smith’s transition from the Yankees’ system to the Giants. However, as Leibrandt—now a new father—has acknowledged, this season could be his last chance to showcase his skills at the highest level.
If Leibrandt does decide to move on rather than seeking another minor-league gig, he can take pride in the fact that he’s departing on a solid note. During his stint, he posted an impressive 2.85 ERA across 10 outings, which included nine starts. The Yankees’ front office may not have seen him as a fit for their rotation depth, but with his recent performances, it’s entirely feasible that another team will be eager to give him a shot.
The news of Leibrandt’s release highlights not just the player’s talent but also his personal connections. Fans might remember him from his time off the field, particularly his appearances on Weaver’s show, Weav’s World. Their deep friendship, formed during their college years at Florida State, was palpable, with Leibrandt affectionately referring to Weaver as his “teammate” and “borderline best friend.”
Leibrandt and Weaver worked together this spring in Tampa, where the lefty showcased a 2.19 ERA in four games, including one start, over 12 1/3 innings in big-league camp. Early on, it appeared that he stood a legitimate chance to secure a role in the Yankees’ bullpen, but in the end, the organization opted for the harder-throwing Brent Headrick over finesse.
It’s a tough break for Weaver, who didn’t have the chance to share a big-league bullpen with his friend this season. Learning of his release likely adds another layer of frustration to an already challenging time on the sidelines for the Yankees’ closer.
Looking ahead, Leibrandt’s MLB career ERA stands at 5.28, accumulated over seven games in two seasons—2020 with the Marlins and 2024 with the Reds. While the numbers tell part of the story, it’s his journey and relationships that have truly defined his time in professional baseball. With a fresh start ahead of him, fans will surely be watching closely to see where Leibrandt lands next.
